Hurricane Tracking Technologies
Dr. Ed Rodgers and Dr. Fritz Hasler
Goddard Space Flight Center

[ Andrea/Ames - 14 - 11:12:03 ]
Dr. Fritz Hasler is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a Ph.D. in Meteorology. He has also studied at the University of Munich Germany. He has spent most of his 25 year professional career in the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres, following terms as Senior Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder CO and as Visiting Scientist at the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique in Paris France.

[ Andrea/Ames - 15 - 11:13:09 ]
Dr. Hasler is famous for his spectacular images and animations of hurricanes and severe storms which have appeared in scientific and popular literature and on national and international public and network television. You may want check out some of his work at - http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/rsd/

[ Andrea/Ames - 16 - 11:15:08 ]
Dr. Edward Rodgers is a graduate of the Colorado State University with a Ph.D. in Meterorology. Dr. Rodgers has worked at Goddard Space Flight Center in the Laboratory for Atmospheres for 28 years. His research is focused on remote sensing and understanding of of tropical and extratropical cyclones. His work also involves the estimation of precipitation from satellite observations.

[ Andrea/Ames - 17 - 11:58:30 ]
Welcome to the chat on Hurricane Tracking Technologies. We will soon be joined by our NASA experts. We welcome your questions!

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 18 - 12:09:57 ]
This is Dr Hasler I'm on line

[ EdwardRodgers - 19 - 12:10:32 ]
RE: [Andrea/Ames] Welcome to the chat on Hurricane Tracking Technologies. We will soon be joined by our NASA experts. We welcome your questions!
Good afternoon. Do you have any questions concerning tropical cyclone?

[ Andrea/Ames - 20 - 12:10:52 ]
Welcome Dr. Hasler!

[ WillHollister/PerkiomenValleyHS - 22 - 12:11:01 ]
Hurricanes appear to be slow moving storms that allow enough time for people to move to safety and to provide some protection to their property. How accurate(%)are you in predicting the track of a hurricane with a 2 day notice to the towns in it's path? How does this accuracy compare to 10 years ago? What are the primary factors contributing to the increase in accuracy over the years?

[ Andrea/Ames - 23 - 12:13:42 ]
Welcome Dr. Rodgers!

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 24 - 12:13:43 ]
Will: You ask difficult questions: I would address that one to Jerry Jarrel at the Hurricane Center in Miami or Hugh Willoughby at NOAA AOML in Miami

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 25 - 12:14:51 ]
Hugh Willoughby can be reached at willough@pop.aoml.noaa.gov

[ Shari-Ms.Harris/St.MarksEpiscopalSchool - 26 - 12:15:03 ]
What steering currents affect tropical storms once they enter the Gulf of Mexico? Is it more the ocean currents, the pressure systems on the land or both? In Houston, there was quite a bit of nervousness about Georges stalling close to the coast, then finding its way to the Texas coast. Thankfully for us, it didn't. Many along the Texas coast are still recovering from Tropical Storms Danielle and Frances and couldn't handle much morre any time soon.

[ Will/PerkiomenValleyHS-WillHollister/PerkiomenValleyHS - 27 - 12:15:08 ]
Hurricanes appear to be slow moving storms that allow enough time for people to move to safety and to provide some protection to their property. How accurate(%)are you in predicting the track of a hurricane with a 2 day notice to the towns in it's path? How does this accuracy compare to 10 years ago? What are the primary factors contributing to the increase in accuracy over the years?

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 28 - 12:15:53 ]
Hello! I am sorry that I am late! :-)

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 29 - 12:17:51 ]
Why did Hurricane Danielle follow in the same path as Hurricane Bonnie? Was it the jet stream?

[ EdwardRodgers - 30 - 12:17:54 ]
Good afternoon. Are there any question concerning tropical cyclones?

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 32 - 12:18:02 ]
Will: I think most of the current forecasts are based on statistics for the given location and path of the storm and the current weather patterns. The goal is to have a 3D numerical model of the hurricane nested in the 3D numerical model of the large scale weather patterns. However, this kind of modeling hasn't worked well yet.

[ Jason-WoodsideMiddleSchool - 33 - 12:18:33 ]
What technologies do you use to track cyclones?

[ Will/PerkiomenValleyHS-WillHollister/PerkiomenValleyHS - 34 - 12:18:44 ]
Hurricane Bonnie really messed up my vacation in Avalon, N.J. at the end of August. It seemed like it stalled over North Carolina for 2-3 days and sent wind and rain as far north as New Jersey. Any idea what caused Bonnie to move so slow and stop for awhile?

[ MrsBlazer-Mrs.Blazer/MiamiViewSchool - 35 - 12:19:17 ]
My class wanted to know what is the cost of the instruments you use to track storms

[ Kate-WoodsideMiddleSchool - 36 - 12:19:33 ]
What role do satellites play in tracking hurricanes?

[ MrsBlazer-Mrs.Blazer/MiamiViewSchool - 37 - 12:20:55 ]
The kids also wanted to know the types of courses in college that are necessary to be a meteorologist and if high school students can do internships with storm trackers?

[ EdwardRodgers - 39 - 12:21:11 ]
RE: [Shari- Ms.Harris/St.MarksEpiscopalSchool] What steering currents affect tropical storms once they enter the Gulf of Mexico? Is it more the ocean currents, the pressure systems on the land or both? In Houston, there was quite a bit of nervousness about Georges stalling close to the coast, then finding its way to the Texas coast. Thankfully for us, it didn't. Many along the Texas coast are still recovering from Tropical Storms Danielle and Frances and couldn't handle much morre any time soon.
Steering currents near the middle troposphere usually influence tropical cyclone motion over all regions that tropical cyclones exist.

[ Shari-Ms.Harris/St.MarksEpiscopalSchool - 40 - 12:22:52 ]
Whoops! Maybe it was TS Charley, not Danielle that hit South Texas and really hurt the Texas Valley.

[ MrsBlazer-Mrs.Blazer/MiamiViewSchool - 41 - 12:23:00 ]
Having seen disaster shows, the kids want to know if the satellites or other instruments can see or be a part of the eye of a hurricane?

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 42 - 12:24:05 ]
Will and Shari: The paths of hurricanes are controlled by the large scale weather patterns. Depending on how the hurricane is situated with respect to the pattern, just about any motion is possible.

[ MrsBlazer-Mrs.Blazer/MiamiViewSchool - 43 - 12:24:52 ]
since there are 3 names for hurricanes (hurricanes,cyclones, and typhoons) are they any differences or is it just local names

[ EdwardRodgers - 44 - 12:25:25 ]
RE: [Jason-WoodsideMiddleSchool] What technologies do you use to track cyclones?
Tropical cyclone motion is forecast using atmospheric models that discribe the future steering currents..

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 45 - 12:25:46 ]
RE: [MrsBlazer-Mrs.Blazer/MiamiViewSchool] Having seen disaster shows, the kids want to know if the satellites or other instruments can see or be a part of the eye of a hurricane?
Mrs Blazer: Satellites can easily see into the eye of a hurricane. Check out our web site at rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/rsd

[ MrsBlazer-Mrs.Blazer/MiamiViewSchool - 46 - 12:25:59 ]
is there evidence in the ocean that a hurricane has been there---how deep into the ocean does a hurricane's effects go?

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 47 - 12:27:20 ]
Do you allow people do travel in the hurricane planes with you, or do they have to have a degree or something? If you do, how old do they have to be?

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 48 - 12:27:42 ]
RE: [MrsBlazer-Mrs.Blazer/MiamiViewSchool] since there are 3 names for hurricanes (hurricanes,cyclones, and typhoons) are they any differences or is it just local names
A hurrcane going West across the International Date line becomes a typhoon. Cylone is a generic term e.g. Tropical Cyclone

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 49 - 12:27:56 ]
Do you allow people do travel in the hurricane planes with you, or do they have to have a degree or something? If you do, how old do they have to be?

[ Shari-Ms.Harris/St.MarksEpiscopalSchool - 50 - 12:30:12 ]
We have a big cold (or rather a cool) front coming in right now. Will this affect the possibilities of a TS or hurricane steering into our area? Or will it only be affected if the water really cools off?

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 51 - 12:30:20 ]
RE: [Melinda- MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool] Do you allow people do travel in the hurricane planes with you, or do they have to have a degree or something? If you do, how old do they have to be?
I have never traveled in a hurricane plane, but my good friend Peter Black of NOAA Hurricane Research Division has made over 450 flights into hurricanes. Almost all of the crews are made up of pilots, technicians and researchers

[ Andrea/Ames - 52 - 12:30:36 ]
RE: [Melinda- MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool] Do you allow people do travel in the hurricane planes with you, or do they have to have a degree or something? If you do, how old do they have to be?
Melinda - This question may be better asked to the hurricane hunters - we will meet them during the next two live events.

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 53 - 12:30:42 ]
Has a hurricane plane ever been trapped in the eye and it couldn't get out? Has any plane crashed in the ocean while collecting data?

[ EdwardRodgers - 54 - 12:31:23 ]
RE: [Kate-WoodsideMiddleSchool] What role do satellites play in tracking hurricanes?
Temperature profiles, winds at the cirrus and cloud base level, and middle-tropospheric water vapor patterns can be measured from satellite. These satellite observations can be used in animated form or through atmospheric models to help forecast tropical cyclone motion, particularly in data void areas.

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 55 - 12:32:38 ]
RE: [Melinda- MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool] Do you allow people do travel in the hurricane planes with you, or do they have to have a degree or something? If you do, how old do they have to be?
You would have to be old enough to be a pilot, technician or researcher. My friend Peter has a PhD, but I'm sure some of the others have BS or MS degrees.

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 56 - 12:33:10 ]
Thank you Fritz Hasler Visioneer for answering that for me? Is there any way that I could get a hold of Peter Black? Does he have email? If so, what is it?

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 57 - 12:34:03 ]
Thank you Andrea!! I will be sure to make it to those live events!!

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 58 - 12:35:08 ]
RE: [MrsBlazer-Mrs.Blazer/MiamiViewSchool] is there evidence in the ocean that a hurricane has been there---how deep into the ocean does a hurricane's effects go?
The effects on the ocean are caused by the vertical mixing of the water by the hurricane winds. I think they only extend down a 100ft or so.

[ EdwardRodgers - 59 - 12:35:13 ]
RE: [MrsBlazer-Mrs.Blazer/MiamiViewSchool] since there are 3 names for hurricanes (hurricanes,cyclones, and typhoons) are they any differences or is it just local names
Tropical cyclones with winds greater than 74 miles per hour are called hurricanes in the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific, typhoons in the Western Pacific, and cyclones in the Indian Oceans and southern hemispheric regions.

[ EdwardRodgers - 60 - 12:36:56 ]
RE: [Shari- Ms.Harris/St.MarksEpiscopalSchool] We have a big cold (or rather a cool) front coming in right now. Will this affect the possibilities of a TS or hurricane steering into our area? Or will it only be affected if the water really cools off?
Cold fronts, which are associated with middle tropospheric troughs will usually steer the tropical cyclone to higher latitudes.

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 61 - 12:38:00 ]
RE: [Melinda- MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool] Thank you Fritz Hasler Visioneer for answering that for me? Is there any way that I could get a hold of Peter Black? Does he have email? If so, what is it?
Peter can be reached at black@aoml.noaa.gov However he is very busy this time of year and often doesn't respond to his email. Give him a try. Stan Goldenburg at goldenberg@aoml.noaa.gov might respond better. His house was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew with him in it.

[ EdwardRodgers - 62 - 12:39:34 ]
RE: [Melinda- MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool] Has a hurricane plane ever been trapped in the eye and it couldn't get out? Has any plane crashed in the ocean while collecting data?
I believe there was at least one plane that flew out of Guam that had engine problems, but never made it back.

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 63 - 12:39:57 ]
RE: [Melinda- MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool] Has a hurricane plane ever been trapped in the eye and it couldn't get out? Has any plane crashed in the ocean while collecting data?
Peter's plane nearly crashed one time when his plane hit extreme turbulence. I don't know of any crashes.

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 64 - 12:40:00 ]
This year there has been a total of eleven tropical storms/hurricanes so far this year. Is that a record just October, or was there another year that had more? 1995?

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 65 - 12:43:05 ]
RE: [FritzHaslerVisioneer] Peter's plane nearly crashed one time when his plane hit extreme turbulence. I don't know of any crashes.
The flights are mostly very long and bumpy and boring while flying through the clouds. Then you get a spectacular view when you come out into the clear eye. After 15 min or so you fly back into the hurricane eye wall.

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 66 - 12:43:22 ]
When you predict a hurricane's track, do you usually make the right predictions? What about hurricane warnings, watches, tropical warnings, watches? Do you predict those right?

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 67 - 12:43:46 ]
When you predict a hurricane's track, do you usually make the right predictions? What about hurricane warnings, watches, tropical warnings, watches? Do you predict those right?

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 68 - 12:44:19 ]
RE: [Melinda- MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool] This year there has been a total of eleven tropical storms/hurricanes so far this year. Is that a record just October, or was there another year that had more? 1995?
1995 is the record in recent history

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 69 - 12:46:15 ]
RE: [Melinda- MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool] When you predict a hurricane's track, do you usually make the right predictions? What about hurricane warnings, watches, tropical warnings, watches? Do you predict those right?
The next time we have a storm follow it on the CNN pages internet they always give the forecasts. Ithought they did a great job with Georges. You be the judge

[ June-SeattleWA - 70 - 12:47:02 ]
Are the technologies expensive? Which technologies help the most in tracking hurricanes?

[ Matt-SeattleWA - 71 - 12:48:04 ]
Sorry we are late. How did you track hurricanes before you had all of the technology?

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 72 - 12:49:38 ]
RE: [June-SeattleWA] Are the technologies expensive? Which technologies help the most in tracking hurricanes?
Another tough question: Good observations, good computer models and long years of research are the things that improve the forecasts

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 73 - 12:50:57 ]
RE: [Matt-SeattleWA] Sorry we are late. How did you track hurricanes before you had all of the technology?
Matt: My son's name is Matt he is 16. If you read the early explorers accounts of hurricanes you know that they had no idea what was going on.

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 74 - 12:52:09 ]
RE: [Matt-SeattleWA] Sorry we are late. How did you track hurricanes before you had all of the technology?
Later they new that they generally moved from East to West, but not how fast or exactly where.

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 75 - 12:52:50 ]
RE: [Matt-SeattleWA] Sorry we are late. How did you track hurricanes before you had all of the technology?
Once they could fly airplanes into the storms every day they could track them pretty well

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 76 - 12:54:11 ]
RE: [Matt-SeattleWA] Sorry we are late. How did you track hurricanes before you had all of the technology?
With the advent of Geostationary satellites in 1966 we could track the storms every hour durning the day in 1974 we could track them day & night

[ FritzHaslerVisioneer - 77 - 12:54:57 ]
It's been fun! Sorry, but I have to sign off now.

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 78 - 12:55:04 ]
I think that you predict perfect!! I have tracked every hurricane or tropical storm this year with your data and I almost predicted the same as NCH did!! :-)

[ EdwardRodgers - 79 - 12:55:58 ]
RE: [Melinda- MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool] This year there has been a total of eleven tropical storms/hurricanes so far this year. Is that a record just October, or was there another year that had more? 1995?
1969 was another prolific tropical cyclone yesr.

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 80 - 12:55:59 ]
Good bye Fritz Haslter Visioneer!! Thank you for chatting with us! I have to go also! Goodbye!!

[ Melinda-MelindaFay/HeartChristianSchool - 81 - 12:56:12 ]
Good bye Fritz Haslter Visioneer!! Thank you for chatting with us! I have to go also! Goodbye!!

[ Matt-SeattleWA - 82 - 12:56:27 ]
Thanks for your answers Dr. Hasler - I am a few years younger than your son.

[ EdwardRodgers - 83 - 12:57:02 ]
RE: [June-SeattleWA] Are the technologies expensive? Which technologies help the most in tracking hurricanes?
Yes, Atmospheric models

[ Andrea/Ames - 85 - 13:02:09 ]
I would like to thank Dr. Rodgers and Dr. Hasler for joining us. Your work plays such an important role in helping us prevent disaster resulting from hurricanes.

[ Andrea/Ames - 89 - 13:05:24 ]
Thank yor for your time today! We enjoyed your questions and answers very much!